Spoed bij revisie trans-Europees transportnetwerk (en)
On Wednesday, at the end of a series of specific conferences held in Saragossa, the Spanish Minister for Public Works, José Blanco, underscored the need to hasten the revision of the trans-European transport network, in order to increase efficiency and competitiveness.
José Blanco and the Vice-President of the Commission and European Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas i, participated in the Trans-European Transport Network Conferences, at the closing of the work sessions organised by the European Commission and the Spanish Presidency of the EU Transport Council.
In his address, Mr Blanco asserted that the meeting constituted a step forward in the revision of trans-European transport network policy and an advance towards the consolidation of a truly European priority network which, according to the minister, 'will undoubtedly contribute to the attainment of Europe's principal objectives, which include greater economic competitiveness, increased social and regional cohesion, and greater respect for the environment'.
During the conferences, which were held prior to the European Union's initiation of the process whereby the methodology for the revision of the trans-European network would be established, the Member States analysed the progress made with regard to said network revision process, based on the work carried out by the Commission, engaging in open debate not only with regard to its planning, but also with regard to key issues such as financing and the institutional and legal framework.
'I am convinced' said the Spanish minister, 'that we will be able to reach a consensus with regard to the future of the Trans-European Transport Network, and to go into greater detail regarding the development of subsequent stages of study and debate to be undertaken by Member States, institutions and intervening actors'.
Mr Blanco particularly wished to underscore the importance which the proposed methodology, both with regard to the transport of merchandise or passengers, attaches to the connections between different forms of transport, 'points of connection with the world-wide flow of transport which ensure the integration of the most remote and outermost regions, as well as of islands' .
Multimodal Network and Mediterranean Corridor
'The future trans-European network will be essentially multimodal, with impetus given to those transport services which are most efficient and sustainable; this will promote the European objectives of competitiveness and regional cohesion', added José Blanco.
The President-in-turn of the EU Transport Council anticipated that once the revision methodology has been validated, and the States have reached a consensus, the process of defining the corridors and axes which will be included in the future basic trans-European transport network, in accordance with the rationality principle, will be initiated.
José Blanco underscored Spain's wish that the Mediterranean Corridor, 'which constitutes a strategic link between intermodal transport chains, both European as well as worldwide, should form an integral part of said basic network'.
This project, stressed Mr Blanco, is important not only for Spain and the Mediterranean rim, but also for the connection with North Africa and for the establishment of major trade links with emerging countries in Asia.
With regard to the possible inclusion of the corridor within the network, the Vice-president of the European Commission, Siim Kallas, underscored the vital importance of good transport connections around the Mediterranean and with North Africa, although he did not foresee any great changes with regard to currently anticipated Trans-European Transport Network projects, and he indicated that the Member-States are primarily responsible for financing.
With regard to the priority axes relevant to Spain, Mr Blanco insisted on the importance of developing the rail system (passengers, merchandise and local trains), in addition to sea motorways, and he supported the promotion of the Central Pyrenees Crossing (TCP) and the Mediterranean corridor, due to its strategic importance.
'These are two priority axes' he added, which will have to be given precedence over other infrastructures, such as motorways or others which contribute less added value and which do not contribute as much to the competitiveness and efficiency of the economy.
Agreement between Spain, France and Portugal
Spain strongly supports the continuation and improvement of current priority projects and, in this regard, Mr Blanco referred to the agreement reached on Tuesday with France and Portugal.
According to the Spanish minister, this agreement underscores the existence of the 'political will to give impetus to priority projects 3 and 16, which will enable us to surmount the barrier which the Pyrenees, Atlantic and Mediterranean accesses and central crossing pose for transport'.
Lastly, Mr Blanco referred to the funding mechanisms for strengthening the Trans-European Transport Network, and he underscored the effort made by Spain towards the approval of a Programa Extraordinario de Infraestructuras (PEI) [Special Infrastructure Plan], which will permit the deployment of significant private capital during the construction of the corridors.